All of you will be members of a E-Resources policy committee. We will use this wiki to create a policy for using electronic resources in our school. This policy defines the boundaries of “acceptable use” of limited School electronic resources, including computers, networks, electronic mail services and electronic information sources, as detailed below.

Technology Acceptable Use Policy

Purpose

• A. The technology resources at the BCC School (e.g., all networking, computer hardware and software, connection to the Internet, email, telephone equipment, and voice mail) are provided to enhance the curriculum and enable students, faculty, and staff to facilitate work productivity. Access to these technology resources is intended primarily for educational purposes. The School’s Policy on Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources applies to all authorized users who access the School’s network or equipment using School-owned or personally owned equipment, including wireless devices. BCC’s Major School Rules, as outlined in the Student Handbook are applicable to all uses of the computer network and related technologies. This policy is intended to clarify these rules as they apply specifically to network usage. Use of School technology resources is a privilege and not a right.
• B. Use will be legal and consistent with the code of ethics that governs all aspects of life within the bounds of our learning community. Any actions performed or initiated through the network must reflect the level of honesty and morality set forth by the BCC Student and Faculty Handbooks and the BCC Employee Handbook. BCC School maintains the right to monitor network activity to ensure its appropriate use and maintain network integrity.
• C. Below is a priority list for uses of technology resources. Demand for computing resources may at times exceed availbility. The School reserves the right to enforce these priorities by restricting or limiting usages of lower priority.
  • Highest: Uses that directly supports the educational, business, and service missions of the School.
  • Medium: Other uses that indirectly benefit the education, business, and service missions of the School.
  • Lowest: Recreation, including but not limited to game playing (games not related to curriculum content) and digital media streaming.

• Authorized Use: All students and faculty members will have accessibility to an email address and the use of the Internet via a sign-in name and password specific to each individual. Students will be required to sign an acceptable use policy for computer privileges on campus.

• Using electronic communication such as e-mail, instant messages, chat, etc. must be in support of the educational goals.
• When in receipt of an email from a source not native to BCC, be sure of sender before opening attachments.
• All users with access to personal/confidential data are to ensure that no unauthorized disclosures occur.
• Users may never share thier username and password with another party.

• Privacy/Confidentiality Expectations:

• All usage and communication by faculty, staff, or students should not be considered private. Use of this system should be with the knowledge that BCC system administrators are authorized and reserve the right to log, monitor, and/or review all activities on the system network. BCC reserves the right to access any electronic communication, history of communications or Internet sites at any time if the content or use of electronic resource is deemed questionable. It is recommended that college equipment not be used for personal communications.

• Responsible Use: BCC is reponsible for the terms and conditions associated with third party licensing agreements (i.e., software, databases). Therefore, users are duly expected to follow these guidelines. The hardware, software, and Internet will be used responsibly in order to:

• Conduct research pertaining to assignments given.
• Become more proficient in and knowledgeable of various uses of the Internet and the provided software applications.
• Support or refute a given statement, belief, or story provided by an instructor.
• Post information that is pertainent to and/or will enhance a specific course or lesson.
• Be responsible for the security and integrity of information stored on BCC technology resources.
• Properly log in/out of sessions.
• Check school e-mail several times a week in order to stay informed.
• Generate approved web pages.

• Inappropriate Materials or Actions: The following are considered to be inappropriate materials for viewing, downloading, uploading, and posting on the school computer network. Those found accessing, posting, or engaging in behavior that in any manner which promotes or encourages the use of any of these types of materials will face consequences as set forth in the policy. Users should report any inappropriate materials or misuse of the network to the BCC technology department.

• Obscenities; profanity; vulgar language (communicated either verbally or graphically)
• Threatening or inflammatory language; engaging in hate group rhetoric
• Accessing unauthorized accounts or files and any form of hacking
• Personal attacks, including but not limited to insults, namecalling, or threats; cyberbullying, defamation of character
• Downloading software, music, or video that cannot be verified as related to course work
• Violation of copyright laws (including illegal usage, copying, or distribution of copyrighted materials) or engaging in plagiarism
• Pornographic or sexually nude images and video
• Construction and/ or instructions for weapons or explosives
• Material (words or images) glorifying drugs and drug use
• Creating or intentionally spreading computer viruses/and or purposefully disrupting network function or jeopardizing the system
• Intentionally destroying or damaging equipment or system performance
• The posting of videos or claims of activity considered to be criminally offensive in nature
• Posting chain letters or engaging in "spamming", mass emails, or mass forwards
• Gambling
• Violating any local, state, or federal statute
• Posting personal, proprietary, or anonymous information

• Security: BCC will ensure the acquisition and installation of blocking/filtering software to deny access to certain areas of the Internet. BCC will be responsible for monitoring this software and adjust it appropriately based on threat changes involving the Internet.

• The Internet at BCC: Students, faculty, and staff will have access to the Internet on campus and are encouraged to use it to further their academic goals in a safe and responsible manner. The creation of web pages for promotion of academic departments, student government, clubs, sports, and campus activities is strongly encouraged as long as the school's academic integrity is preserved.

• Additional information:

• Users will not use the Internet for advertising, promotion, commercial purposes, or similar objectives.
• Users will not conduct for-profit business activities.
• Users will not engage in religious activities such as solicitation for religious activities.
• Misuse or damage of hardware or software will result in disciplinary action.
• Passwords should be strong (8-14 characters long, it should include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols).
• Users will not engage in promoting political agendas of any form.

Disciplinary Action: Access to information technology resources at BCC is not a right, but a privilege. Violations of this privilege are subject to disciplinary procedures and will be investigated.

• Users who are found to have violated the privilege of using electronic resources will have his/her access restricted or revoked. Future access may also be modified to enforce the order of computer conduct.
• Students will also face the standard consequences based on BCC's established school-wide discipline policy.
• Violators may also be subject to prosecution under local, state, or federal laws.